PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Joe James (ranked 5700 p4p, 570 weight class) and Vasyl Kovalchick (ranked 5080 p4p, 522 weight class). James comes to the cage accompanied by Last Resort . Kovalchick has chosen Ukrainian as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

James
vs
Kovalchick

222 cm
23
270 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

190 cm
26
235 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Prefers standup

KAISER Nutrition - Q160
House of Valor

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Joe James!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Vasyl Kovalchick!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Shigeki Sano and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kovalchick fails with an attempt to clinch.

James changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Kovalchick looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Kovalchick bucks up and tries to throw James off but instead James has got his back!
Kovalchick wants to get back to his feet.
Kovalchick covers up after taking a massive shot to the side of the head.

James is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.

James is looking for the choke from the back position but Kovalchick is controlling his hands well.
Kovalchick is trying to stand back up.
James is punishing Kovalchick with some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.

James is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Kovalchick is defending well though. James let's go of the attempt for now.
James slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.
Kovalchick is trying to get back to his feet but James has full control of the position and if anything, Kovalchick has just worked his way into a worse spot.
I would not like to be Kovalchick right now.

Kovalchick defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of James's arms.
Kovalchick is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
James trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Kovalchick doesn't escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kovalchick is trying to stand back up.

James tightening his grip on Kovalchick, looking for the choke.
James biding his time, looking for the opening.
James is punishing Kovalchick with some ground and pound.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
James is working the ground and pound here and the referee is taking a close look at Kovalchick. He must escape soon or this one will be stopped.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kovalchick is trying to get back to his feet but James has full control of the position and if anything, Kovalchick has just worked his way into a worse spot.
James controls the position.
James will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

James is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
James controls the action.
Kovalchick is trying to get back to his feet but James has full control of the position and if anything, Kovalchick has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Watch the back of the head! Comes the shout from the referee towards James.
James biding his time, looking for the opening.
Kovalchick is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Kovalchick is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.
Kovalchick is trapped and James is scoring with shots to the head and body.
Kovalchick trying to get back to his feet but James is in full control for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.

Kovalchick defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of James's arms.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kovalchick trying to get back to his feet but James is in full control for now.
James really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

James is looking for the choke from the back position but Kovalchick is controlling his hands well.
Kovalchick is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
James keeps control of the position easily here as Kovalchick tries to buck him off.
Kovalchick is trying to stand back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe James dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Kovalchick tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. James manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Kovalchick gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
A knee to the head by Kovalchick.
James stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
James throws a head punch that misses.
Kovalchick tries a knee to the head but James blocks it.
James is stalling here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kovalchick throws a knee to the head but misses.
James pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

James drags the fight down to the ground.
James looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

James had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Kovalchick defends it easily.
Kovalchick wants to stand but James is controlling his posture from full guard.
James controlling the position.
James looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
James is trying to keep Kovalchick in close.

James is working an open guard so Kovalchick takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Kovalchick forces James back against the cage and clinches.
James jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Kovalchick walks away with a smile on his face. James gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Joe James is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kovalchick wants to clinch.
A counter left hand to the body from James misses its target.

Kovalchick fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with James, pushing him back against the cage.
James has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Kovalchick avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
James tries for a takedown but Kovalchick manages to get underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joe James. That's going to take a lot out of him.
James is trying to pull guard but Kovalchick turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
James throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Kovalchick blocks it with crossed arms.
Kovalchick with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Kovalchick throws a knee to the head but misses.
James is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kovalchick can do to turn this around?
James is working for takedown but Kovalchick is calmly controlling the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kovalchick is defending well against a takedown attempt.
James throws a knee to the head but misses.

James manages to break the clinch.
Kovalchick fails with an attempt to clinch.
A counter left hand to the body from James misses its target.
Kovalchick throws a head kick that misses.

Kovalchick pushes James up against the cage in a clinch.
James fails to pull the fight into his guard.
A knee to the head by Kovalchick.

It looks like Joe James has been cut.
James is trying to drag Kovalchick to the mat but Kovalchick just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
James wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
James looking for a takedown.
Kovalchick misses with a knee to the head.
Kovalchick with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Kovalchick tries a knee to the head but James blocks it.
James tries to pull guard but Kovalchick won't allow it.
James tries for a takedown but Kovalchick manages to get underhooks.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
James fails to pull the fight into his guard.
James tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Kovalchick smiles and moves away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vasyl Kovalchick showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Joe James's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Kovalchick tries a head kick but it misses.
Some wild striking there from Kovalchick.

Kovalchick has James up against the cage in a clinch.

James has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Kovalchick is trying to keep an underhook but James manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Kovalchick is trying to stand up here but James is controlling him well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Well, if James is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Kovalchick is trying to stand.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Kovalchick instigates a clinch.
James is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Kovalchick pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kovalchick misses with a knee to the head.
Kovalchick is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Kovalchick keeps the fight in the clinch, despite James's efforts to push away.
Kovalchick tries to land a knee to the head but James blocks with his arms.
James is looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joe James. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kovalchick tries a knee to the head but James blocks it.
James tries to score a body lock takedown but Kovalchick shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
James tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Kovalchick throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but James blocks it with crossed arms.
Vasyl Kovalchick seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Kovalchick misses with a knee strike.
Kovalchick using the Thai plumb to throw knees but James has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Kovalchick connects with a knee to the head.
James is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Kovalchick to keep the fight standing.
James misses with the head strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James looking for a takedown.
Kovalchick looking to throw knees to the head but James is blocking nicely.
Kovalchick throws a knee to the head but misses.
Kovalchick with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Kovalchick using the Thai plumb to throw knees but James has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
James tries to break the clinch but Kovalchick is controlling the position.
Kovalchick with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Kovalchick with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Kovalchick blocks an uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
James is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

James tightens his grip and picks Kovalchick up, before dumping him to the ground. Kovalchick manages to land in guard.

Kovalchick uses the cage to get back to his feet.
James tries to clinch up but Kovalchick circles away and keeps his distance.
Vasyl Kovalchick seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Horrible takedown attempt by James or perhaps it was just good defense by Kovalchick, which made it look bad.

James tries to keep at a distance but Kovalchick has taken the fight into the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kovalchick landing knees to the head.
Kovalchick with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Kovalchick landing knees to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vasyl Kovalchick comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Kovalchick has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight for Vasyl Kovalchick!
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight for Vasyl Kovalchick!
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight for Vasyl Kovalchick!

Vasyl Kovalchick wins by unanimous decision!
Our winner, Vasyl Kovalchick, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.